Gintama Season 4

What is Gintama Season 4 about?

Gintama Season 4 is a TV anime series of 12 episodes animated by Bandai Namco Pictures, adapted from a manga. It aired from January 9, 2017 to March 27, 2017. AniList classifies it as action, comedy, drama and science fiction. It continues from Gintama Season 3, which is worth watching first.

Synopsis from AniList, which credits MAL Rewrite. The summary above it is written by FreeAnime.xyz from AniList's data.

Themes AniList users associate with it: Swordplay, Male Protagonist, Anachronism, Shounen, Samurai, Ensemble Cast, War, Philosophy, Found Family, Parody.

Main characters

Characters AniList lists in a main role, with spoiler-free notes.

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  Gintoki Sakata 坂田銀時

  Main character

  A samurai living in an era where a samurai is no longer needed. To add to his troubles, oppressive aliens have moved in to invade. Gintoki lives with Kagura and Shinpachi, taking on odd jobs to make the world a better place...and to pay their rent.

  Japanese voice: Tomokazu Sugita

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  Shinpachi Shimura 志村新八

  Main character

  Shinpachi Shimura works under Gintoki to learn the ways of the samurai. He used to stay at his family's dōjo. However, it seems more like he's just trying to help Gintoki pay the rent than to learn. Shinpachi is the captain of the "Otsu's Imperial Guard," a pop singer's fan club.

  Japanese voice: Daisuke Sakaguchi

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  Kagura 神楽

  Main character

  Although she appears to be a normal, cute, human girl in Chinese-style clothing, she actually belongs to the Yato Clan, one of the strongest and most bloodthirsty of the Amanto races. The Yato is said to have "transparent" skin that is highly sensitive to sunlight, so Kagura carries a purple parasol at all times.

  Japanese voice: Rie Kugimiya

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  Kotarou Katsura 桂小太郎

  Main character

  Katsura is Gintoki's former comrade during the Joi war. Even after the Amanto take-over of Japan, Katsura continues to resist the Amanto, and has amassed a band of followers. He is a wanted man due to his involvement in terrorist activities against the Bakufu, and is constantly on the run from the Shinsengumi.

  Japanese voice: Akira Ishida

• 

  Tatsuma Sakamoto 坂本辰馬

  Main character

  Sakamoto is a former member of the Joi. He is a good-natured man and optimistic to the point of being ridiculous, even in the most dangerous situations. His favorite phrase is "AHAHA! It must be _". He also has a tendency to misspell names; he calls Gintoki "Kintoki".

  Japanese voice: Shinichirou Miki

• 

  Shinsuke Takasugi 高杉晋助

  Main character

  A former comrade of Gintoki and Katsura and a major antagonist. He is easily recognisable through his bandaged left eye, his colorful kimono, his eerie smile, and the pipe he is often seen smoking.

  Japanese voice: Takehito Koyasu

• 

  Umibouzu 星海坊主

  Main character

  Umibouzu is Kagura and Kamui's father and one of the last members of the Yato clan. Like Kagura, he fights using an umbrella but is also shown to be strong in his own right.

  Japanese voice: Shou Hayami

• 

  Kamui 神威

  Main character

  Kamui is a member of the Yato Tribe, the son of Umibouzu and older brother of Kagura. His excellent fighting skills helped him become Captain of the 7th Division of Harusame's Thunder Guns, the most powerful combat unit within the Harusame group and Overlord of Yoshiwara.

  Japanese voice: Satoshi Hino

Supporting characters

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  Sadaharu 定春

  Supporting character

  Sadaharu has the outward appearance of a giant dog, but is actually an inugami. When sitting on his haunches, he is taller than most humans. He was left in front of Gintoki's apartment in a box that had "To Mr. Freelancer" written on it.

  Japanese voice: Mikako Takahashi

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  Elizabeth エリザベス

  Supporting character

  Elizabeth resembles a giant white duck or a giant penguin and is Katsura's companion. Elizabeth was a present from Tatsuma Sakamoto, who presumably picked it up on his travels around space.

  Japanese voice: Tooru Furuya

• 

  Bansai Kawakami 河上万斉

  Supporting character

  He is an assassin and is one of the strongest swordsmen of the Kiheitai, an extremist Joui faction bent on causing world destruction. He regularly keeps his headphones on, as well as sun glasses even while others are talking to him.

  Japanese voice: Takumi Yamazaki

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  Matako Kijima 来島また子

  Supporting character

  Matako Kijima is the only female member of the Kiheitai and is skilled in using a pair of pistols. She is fiercely loyal to Shinsuke Takasugi, and appears to have a crush on him. Her name is roughly based on a samurai of the Bakumatsu era, Kijima Matabei.

  Japanese voice: Risa Hayamizu

• 

  Catherine キャサリン

  Supporting character

  An amanto who resembles a cat. At first, she seems to be a diligent worker at Otose's snack shop who is trying to support her family, but soon reveals herself to be a thief. Despite this, Otose hired her again after she was released from prison.

  Japanese voice: Yuu Sugimoto

• 

  Mutsu 陸奥

  Supporting character

  Mutsu is the merchant fleet Kaientai's 2nd in Command, but is de facto the one running the company. This is because her "natural idiot" leader Sakamoto Tatsuma is always going MIA (missing in action).

  Japanese voice: Akeno Watanabe

• 

  Housen 鳳仙

  Supporting character

  Hosen is from the Yato Clan, he's the boss of Yoshiwara and ex-leader of the 7th division of pirate group Harusen. In the past he fought against Umibouzu for three days straight and tied.

  Japanese voice: Banjou Ginga

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  Abuto 阿伏兎

  Supporting character

  A veteran member of the Yato clan. He supports and travels with Kamui. Abuto treasures his own kind, those of Yato blood and dislikes fighting them, though it goes against his blood-thirsty Yato nature.

  Japanese voice: Houchuu Ootsuka

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  Shouyou Yoshida 吉田松陽

  Supporting character

  Mentor to the Old Jouishishi members in their youth. Trained Sakata Gintoki, Katsura Kotarou and Takasugi Shinsuke in swordskills and the bushido. He died before the Gintama storyline started.

  Japanese voice: Kouichi Yamadera

• 

  Nobume Imai 今井信女

  Supporting character

  Imai Nobume is a vice captain and part of the assassination unit of Mimawarigumi. She is emotionless in her facial expression and speech. She is sadistic and likes to cut people down. According to Isaburo when she switches into her assassin mode, she doesn't stop until she kills everyone in the vicinity.

  Japanese voice: Aya Hirano

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  Isaburo Sasaki 佐々木異三郎

  Supporting character

  Sasaki Isaburo is the commander of Mimawarigumi. His character is based on the leader of the real Mimawarigumi, Sasaki Tadasaburo. Sasaki Isaburo was born into the elite samurai family Sasaki, as the main heir. He is also the half brother to Sasaki Tetsunosuke.

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  Oboro 朧

  Supporting character

  Oboro is the current leader of the Tensho School and the strongest assassin within the Naraku organisation. Trained in the Tensho school and later succeeding the previous generation's head position. He once fought against Sakata Gintoki during the Amanto War, but wasn't able to kill him.

  Japanese voice: Aoi Yuuki